Healthcare for Active Duty Military Families… “Keeping it Safe Here”
Keeping Families Close
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Ronald McDonald House Charities® Newfoundland and Labrador Keeping Families Close On November 25 th , 2020 at 11 weeks pregnant, Brittany Slade and Cory Ash of Salmon Cove discovered they were going to be parents to twins. They were filled with joy and excitement!! But along with the joy and excitement there was anxiety, because with all pregnancies and especially multiple births, there is added stress and concern for the overall health and well-being of the babies. Along the pregnancy journey, that was complicated with discomfort and pain, they were told that the twins were monochorionic/diamniotic twins which means that they are identical twins who share the same amnion but have separate chorions while in the womb. They were also informed that the twins had Twin to Twin Transfusion Syndrome (TTTS) which is a prenatal condition in which twins share unequal amounts of the placenta’s blood supply resulting in the two fetuses growing at different rates. The syndrome had reached stage 3 and the imbalance of blood flow was starting to affect the heart function in one or both babies. Brittany and Cory were faced with some difficult decisions. “The doctor explained to us that the pain and discomfort I was experiencing was from the TTTS. The choices were: do nothing and lose both of the babies, terminate the pregnancy, cut the cord on one baby and give the other baby the full placenta or be transferred to Toronto for a laser ablation surgery to laser the placenta to cut off the two babies connections. So, myself and Cory agreed, we wanted both babies to have a fighting chance. Because how can you just pick one baby? We decided to proceed with the laser surgery.” Brittany Slade Following the surgery, Brittany and Cory were given terrible news. The ultrasound showed that Parker no longer had a heartbeat. The doctor explained to them that if the surviving baby was born now at 23 weeks he would have a 30-40% chance of survival. “Our hearts shattered into a million pieces that day.” www.RMHCNL.ca Our Impact Our House has 15 family suites Families have stayed with us 38,720 nights Saving to families more than $8Million 1543 families stayed at RMHC NL We have more than 350 volunteers Unlimited smiles Your donation of $197 will cover the cost to host 1 family for 1 night In this issue… McDonald’s – McHappy Day 2 Wish List 2 Board of Directors/Staff 2 Impact of COVID-19 2 Adopt A Room Program 2 Phil Fowler Racing 2 5 Ways You Can Help 3 Red Shoe Crew-Walk for Families 3 Fore the Families Golf Classic 3 Spare Some Love Bowling 3 Volunteer Spotlight 4 Kilometers for Kids 4 Merchandise Store 4 Team RMHC – Rowing 4 SockIt for Sick Kids 4 SUMMER 2021 P.O. Box 28091 150 Clinch Crescent St. John’s, NL A1B 4J8 Charitable Registration Number 85050 2865 RR 0001 Brittany was then admitted and made it as far as 28 weeks before she went into labour. On March 19th 2021 at 8:05pm Pearce was born at 2lbs 4.5oz and Parker was born sleeping. “It was a very rough night. We lost our baby boy Parker and Pearce was born critically ill. He wasn’t responding to the ventilators to help him breathe. We just prayed he would be ok. “ Brittany and Cory spent the next three nights sleeping at the hospital. They knew Pearce had a long difficult road ahead and they needed to remain close to him. Shortly after, the family was introduced to the programs and services of Ronald McDonald House. “Ronald McDonald House is beautiful! We felt so welcome. We told the staff the story of our two boys and when we got to our room there was a beautiful bag there with gifts for Pearce and a donated quilt and an extra little quilt in memory of Parker . We felt so at home. We had home cooked meals made for us with snacks available at any time. Laundry rooms were full with supplies even baby detergent so I can wash Pearce’s blanket and clothes. Special occasions are always celebrated and they do so many different things at the house. But the most special day of all was to spend my first Mother’s Day at Ronald McDonald House. They made me feel so special! I received a beautiful Mother’s Day shirt, a rose and all dads & kids made a wooden mom sign to give all the mothers! Thank you to the sponsors, volunteers and donors for making this very difficult time away from home feel so much better. It was a difficult situation but the Ronald McDonald house made it so much easier to be with our boy!” said Brittany Brittany and Cory spent a total of 61 nights at Ronald McDonald House and were so happy to finally return home with their little miracle, Pearce. “We are so proud of Pearce, our little miracle boy.” Pearce is now five months old, 11lbs and doing very well. I’M A MIRACLE! It is hard to put into words how a parent feels when they are faced with difficult medical decisions regarding the health of their children. It has to be one of the most difficult experiences for a family. And for families who don’t live close to the care and resources they need, there is an added stress, distance. RMHC gives families with a sick child what they need most – each other. Meet Pearce Ash of Salmon Cove
Transcript of Keeping Families Close
Ronald McDonald House Charities® Newfoundland and Labrador
Keeping Families Close
On November 25th, 2020 at 11 weeks pregnant, Brittany Slade and Cory Ash of Salmon Cove discovered they were going to be parents to twins. They were filled with joy and excitement!! But along with the joy and excitement there was anxiety, because with all pregnancies and especially multiple births, there is added stress and concern for the overall health and well-being of the babies. Along the pregnancy journey, that was complicated with discomfort and pain, they were told that the twins were monochorionic/diamniotic twins which means that they are identical twins who share the same amnion but have separate chorions while in the womb. They were also informed that the twins had Twin to Twin Transfusion Syndrome (TTTS) which is a prenatal condition in which twins share unequal amounts of the placenta’s blood supply resulting in the two fetuses growing at different rates. The syndrome had reached stage 3 and the imbalance of blood flow was starting to affect the heart function in one or both babies. Brittany and Cory were faced with some difficult decisions.
“The doctor explained to us that the pain and discomfort I was experiencing was from the TTTS. The choices were: do nothing and lose both of the babies, terminate the pregnancy, cut the cord on one baby and give the other baby the full placenta or be transferred to Toronto for a laser ablation surgery to laser the placenta to cut off the two babies connections. So, myself and Cory agreed, we wanted both babies to have a fighting chance. Because how can you just pick one baby? We decided to proceed with the laser surgery.” Brittany Slade Following the surgery, Brittany and Cory were given terrible news. The ultrasound showed that Parker no longer had a heartbeat. The doctor explained to them that if the surviving baby was born now at 23 weeks he would have a 30-40% chance of survival. “Our hearts shattered into a million pieces that day.”
www.RMHCNL.ca
Our Impact
Our House has 15 family suites
Families have stayed with us 38,720 nights
Saving to families more than $8Million
1543 families stayed at RMHC NL
We have more than 350 volunteers
Unlimited smiles
Your donation of $197 will cover the cost to host 1 family for 1 night
In this issue…
McDonald’s – McHappy Day 2
Wish List 2
Board of Directors/Staff 2
Impact of COVID-19 2
Adopt A Room Program 2
Phil Fowler Racing 2
5 Ways You Can Help 3
Red Shoe Crew-Walk for Families 3
Fore the Families Golf Classic 3
Spare Some Love Bowling 3
Volunteer Spotlight 4
Kilometers for Kids 4
Merchandise Store 4
Team RMHC – Rowing 4
SockIt for Sick Kids 4
SUMMER 2021
P.O. Box 28091 150 Clinch Crescent
St. John’s, NL A1B 4J8
Charitable Registration Number 85050 2865 RR 0001
Brittany was then admitted and made it as far as 28 weeks before she went into labour. On March 19th 2021 at 8:05pm Pearce was born at 2lbs 4.5oz and Parker was born sleeping. “It was a very rough night. We lost our baby boy Parker and Pearce was born critically ill. He wasn’t responding to the ventilators to help him breathe. We just prayed he would be ok. “
Brittany and Cory spent the next three nights sleeping at the hospital. They knew Pearce had a long difficult road ahead and they needed to remain close to him. Shortly after, the family was introduced to the programs and services of Ronald McDonald House.
“Ronald McDonald House is beautiful! We felt so welcome. We told the staff the story of our two boys and when we got to our room there was a beautiful bag there with gifts for Pearce and a donated quilt and an extra little quilt in
memory of Parker 💙. We felt so at home. We had home cooked meals made for us with snacks available at any time. Laundry rooms were full with supplies even baby detergent so I can wash Pearce’s blanket and clothes. Special occasions are always celebrated and they do so many different things at the house. But the most special day of all was to spend my first Mother’s Day at Ronald McDonald House. They made me feel so special! I received a beautiful Mother’s Day shirt, a rose and all dads & kids made a wooden mom sign to give all the mothers! Thank you to the sponsors, volunteers and donors for making this very difficult time away from home feel so much better. It was a difficult situation but the Ronald McDonald house made it so much easier to be with our boy!” said Brittany
Brittany and Cory spent a total of 61 nights at Ronald McDonald House and were so happy to finally return home with their little miracle, Pearce. “We are so proud of Pearce, our little miracle boy.”
Pearce is now five months old, 11lbs and doing very well.
I’M A MIRACLE! It is hard to put into words how a parent feels when they are faced with difficult medical decisions regarding the
health of their children. It has to be one of the most difficult experiences for a family. And for families who don’t
live close to the care and resources they need, there is an added stress, distance. RMHC gives families with a
sick child what they need most – each other.
Meet Pearce Ash of Salmon
Cove
For more information, visit www.RMHCNL.ca 2
Impact of COVID-19 Board of Directors
Staff Annette Godsell
Executive Director
Tel 709-738-0000 [email protected]
Theresa Rahal Director, Chair of Board
Blair Rogers Director, and Chair of Governance Committee Angie Brown Director, Treasurer and Chair of Finance Committee
Gary Follett Director, Chair of Facilities Committee
Dr. Lynette Bowes Director and Chair of Programs Committee
Paul Rogers Director
Heather Peters Director
Erin Higdon Director
Did you know? You can support Ronald McDonald House Charities Newfoundland and Labrador each
time you visit a McDonald’s location in Newfoundland and
Labrador!
WISH LIST Our Wish List is updated regularly as we meet new challenges and address the unique needs of our families. If you would like to support our families with a gift-in-kind, please check out our most recent Wish List on our website: http://rmhcnl.ca/get-involved/wish-list/
Toll Free: 1-855-955-HOME (4663)
Christine Morgan
Director Development &
Communications
Tel 709-738-0000 x0
Special Events
Coordinator
Heather Butler [email protected]
Development Coordinator
Heidi Smith [email protected]
Database &
Administration Specialist
Evan Wheeler [email protected]
Family Services Desk
709-733-2244
Jennifer Fleming
Family & Volunteer
Services, Manager
Tel 709-733-2242
Fax 709-747-1270
Family Programs & Services Coordinator
Jenelle Lambert [email protected]
Family Service Associates
Shirley Kenny Fred Tucker Heath Mann Abby French Lynn Cooze Mark White
Lisa St. Croix
Families with a sick child need to be stronger than ever as they manage their own family crisis during a global crisis. Right now, it is hard for all families to stay close – but it is even harder for a family with a sick or injured child especially those who must travel far from home during these extraordinary circumstances. As our province’s family care charity, we understand the importance of keeping families close, especially during these difficult times. Our families need you, now more than ever.
RMHC NL has experienced a significant reduction of funding due to cancellation of
fundraising events, suspended in-house volunteer programs, cancelled program support
from outside groups and increased costs due to heightened infection control processes as a
result of COVID-19. We need your help now more than ever! RMHC NL is reaching out
to everyone to help us continue to keep families close during these difficult times. We believe
we are stronger together. And, if we can’t be together, we can work together to support
families with a sick or injured child. Please give and be a #HeroFromHome now
www.RMHCNL.ca/donate.
Through the Adopt-a-Room you can provide the most caring and practical support to families during this incredibly stressful time by providing a home-away-from-home. Adopt a family suite or a common area in our house. Visit our website for details. RMHCNL.ca
Phil Fowler Race team have a newly branded RMHC NL NASCAR. Watch for them this
racing season and support their efforts to raise funds for Ronald McDonald House.
McHappy Day
September 22, 2021
For more information, visit www.RMHCNL.ca 3
Make Your Steps Count for Families
September 2021 The 10th annual Red Shoe Crew-Walk for
Families helps raise funds to provide
programs and services for sick children
and their families when they need it
most. This event is hosted by volunteers
and held in communities throughout
Newfoundland and Labrador in the
month of September. The event
coincides with the anniversary of the
opening of Ronald McDonald House
and is the largest annual fundraising
event. Participants register online or
receive an event pledge sheet. By
MAKING YOUR STEPS COUNT FOR
FAMILIES and with every dollar raised,
participants are helping keep sick
children and their families close to each
other and the medical care and
resources they need, when they need it
the most.
Find an event in a community near you
or participants have the flexibility to Walk
When You Want, Where You Want in the
month of September.
REGISTER NOW! www.WalkforFamilies.ca
1. Donate Your donation help provide programs and services for families with a sick or injured child. Families can stay at Ronald McDonald House for only $15 per night, however the actual cost to support a family is $197. Your single gift or monthly gifts will have a tremendous impact to a sick or injured child and their families to be together and near the medical care and resources they need. 2. Volunteer Volunteers make the difference in the lives of all the families that come through our doors - by cooking, by cleaning, by listening, by simply being there and helping. Volunteers are also needed throughout our province to help with awareness and fundraising.
3. Tribute Gifts Donations may be made in memory of a family member, friend or colleague. The bereaved family receives a special notice expressing condolences and informing them that a gift has been made. You will receive a tax-deductible receipt.
5 ways you can help
4. Planned Giving As part of your long-term financial planning, a planned gift can offer you substantial tax and estate planning benefits and allow you to make a lasting gift to Ronald McDonald House. It can be a gift that Ronald McDonald House receives now, or in the future. It’s a way for you to be a key supporter while meeting your own personal financial goals.
5. Community Fundraising Are you interested in holding a fundraiser for Ronald McDonald House? Whether it be a bake sale, a fashion show or any other activity you enjoy or are involved in, there are many ways for you, your family or your workplace to get involved and raise much needed funds for Ronald McDonald House. We have resources and fundraising staff that can help you get started.
Visit www.RMHCNL.ca or contact us at [email protected] or toll free 1-855-955-HOME(4663) for more information.
Proudly Presented by
Lots of great prizes and challenges
Share Your Heart Participate Challenge
Share Your Heart Business Challenge
#RedShoeCrew2021
Proudly presented by
August 12, 2021 The Wilds
Teams of FORE/$900
Contact [email protected] or Visit the RMHCNL.ca for details
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SPARE Some LOVE Boooowling Fundraiser
Presented by
October 24, 2021 – teams of 4/$300
Register NOW – [email protected]
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Proudly Presented by:
For more information, visit www.RMHCNL.ca 4
Congratulations to the 2021 KM for Kids Team. The cycled 1000 km over 8 days (July 9-16, 2021) from St. Barbe on the North Peninsula all the way to Ronald McDonald House in St. John’s and raised an outstanding $100,000 along the way!
Congratulations and thank you! Kayla Edwards Kimberly Hartery
Shawn Arnold April Richards Tina Ralph Lori Butt
Michelle Turpin Gerri-Lynn Stevens Mike Turpin Andy Kelloway
Danny Stevens Cory Waterman
Volunteer Spotlight Story Sharon Bennett & Violet Traverse
©2021 RMHC
RMHC Socks have arrived! Available only while quantities last
Friday November 19, 2021
A fun day of wearing signature red and white striped socks, combined with fundraising
efforts and social media sharing.
With just one pair you will be supporting programs, services and raising
awareness for RMHC.
In celebration of families everywhere
In celebration of families everywhere
They can always be counted on to support all RMHC NL activities, including Sockit for Sick Kids event, provincial lotteries and recently to support the incredible 2021 KM for Kids team as they made their way across the province.
Volunteers are the backbone of Ronald McDonald House. We simply cannot provide the programs and services to sick children and their families without them. Sharon & Violets outstanding contribution of time, skills and resources continues to make a difference in the lives of sick children and their families that need Ronald McDonald House.
Sharon Bennett & Violet Traverse are a tag team volunteer duo that are dedicated community volunteers in Sunnyside, NL. Since 2016, they enthusiastically volunteer their time to fundraise for Ronald McDonald House primarily during the annual Red Shoe Crew-Walk for Families event.
Each year, the walk exceeds their expectations. Their passion and excitement in supporting Ronald McDonald House has engaged and inspired their entire community. This volunteer duo make a great team and they are always coming up with new ideas to raise funds. In the last 5 years, they have helped lead fundraising efforts and have raised more than $20,000 to support sick children and their families at Ronald McDonald House.
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Merchandise Store Open 24 hours a Day
rmhcnl.ca/get-involved/merchandise-store
Be watching for the McDonald’s sponsored Team RMHC rowing
team at the regatta this year!!
